Energy Newsbriefs Blog

This current awareness service is prepared by the WSU Energy Program Library with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy State Energy Program. This information is provided for energy professionals and interested members of the public to highlight recent energy-related news, articles, and reports that discuss energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable sources of energy in engineering and policy circles.

"What does it take to inspire students to pursue careers that tackle some of the toughest engineering challenges of the 21st century? Saint Martin’s University is placing its bets that first-hand experience with sustainable systems will be a key motivator. At Cebula Hall, engineering students can analyze and program photovoltaic panels, and get an up-close look at the building’s exposed structural elements. The LEED Platinum building, which opened in 2012, was completed for a modest $225/ft2 and boasts an energy use intensity (EUI) of 18.25 kBtu/ft2. One energy- and cost-saving measure involved the selection of wood framing over steel."

"Flexible operating characteristics and versatility of services provided by pumped-storage hydropower technologies make them ideally suited to support large-scale integration of variable renewable resources and improve the reliability of power systems, a recent study concludes."

"A well-maintained [compressed air] system will provide an uninterrupted supply of cool, clean and dry compressed air at a stable and appropriate pressure in the most efficient manner possible. Poorly maintained systems have frequent system shutdowns, heat or moisture problems, exhibit system pressures that fluctuate wildly at levels that are too high to produce efficiently, and typically waste air due to leakage. ...here are several key maintenance-related points to consider for trouble-free compressed air system operation."

"Modular boilers have come a long way in the past few years, along with load-matching strategies. Improving efficiencies, navigating critical tight spaces, and allowing for future growth are three reasons this option is heating up."

"A Hilton in the heart of show biz transformed into a sustainable destination hotel with the help of chiller and cooling tower overhauls and improved BAS and ventilation strategies. Don’t miss the final plot twist before the system’s big launch party."

"PACE [Property Assessed Clean Energy] allows commercial and industrial property owners to use a property tax lien to finance energy efficiency upgrades like solar panels and water recycling systems. PACE programs bill an owner through the lien and forward payments to a private lender. Under a smooth-running program, property owners pay less than what they save on their energy bills. If a property is sold, the new owner inherits the debt — a rule meant to further reduce the risks of investment."

"Utilities are investing billions of dollars in the nation's transmission system to improve reliability, relieve congestion, facilitate competition, and support a diverse and changing generation portfolio."

"A new report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) has estimated the global energy efficiency market to be worth at least $310 billion annually, a figure that is growing, and leads the IEA to confirm energy efficiency as the world’s “first fuel.”"

"A surge of energy is flowing into energy storage. Tesla Motors' Sept. 4 announcement that named Nevada the winner of a five-state competition to host its planned gigafactory added momentum to a market for which Lux Research LLC forecasts 8% compounded annual growth, to a global value of $50 billion, by 2020. Tesla's $4-billion plant outside Reno will produce batteries for the automotive market and the grid. According to market research firm IHS, the 2013 energy-storage installation of 340 MW will grow to 6,000 MW by 2017 and to more than 40,000 MW by 2022."

"...lately, some of the country’s leading casinos have been pushing a new kind of green that many customers would be surprised to learn could result in a win-win situation for themselves and for the environment."

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The Energy Newsbriefs Blog is a continuation of the weekly Energy Newsbriefs. Please bookmark this site and return frequently. Although we will not be accepting comments from within the Blog, we would be happy to hear from you by email at library@energy.wsu.edu